DaySailer.org Forum

Excuse my lack of seamanship, but if I don't ask I will probably wonder forever. I've had my DSII for over 2yrs. and have yet to find a use for or determine what that funky little ridge on the aft end of the cockpit floor is used for. It seems to be in the way most of the time. I was thinking it may be used in conjunction with a boom crutch. It doesn't seem to work with mine. Does anybody know? It is one of those things I often wonder about late at night! John

It could be an attempt at stiffening that flat panel. You're not supposed to be that far back while sailing a DS. Does bad things to the fore-aft balance of your boat, slowing you down. Now, if you mounted a set of hiking straps behind it, going forward, then the ridge would help lift them off the floor to allow your feet to get under them.

All guesses, I really don't have a definitive answer.

I don't have a definite answer either, and I've got a 1980 DSII to look at.

Just did look at it, and mine has the same ridge with a notch in the middle, so it looks like two short ridges with a gap of about three inches between them.

Why the ridge to begin with? GL has a good point about stiffening the panel, but then why make one long ridge into two short ones like I have?

I gave this a little more thought, well actually a lot more, and I have come to the conclusion that the ridge was designed and placed in that spot simply to prevent items from sliding off the raised flotation chamber into the transom well. Such as a cooler, fuel can, etc. Hopefully I am correct and will therefore quit worrying about it. I could still be wrong though!

Hmmm ... never really gave it much thought, although I guess I just figured they were meant to be some sort of foot brace, but as GL states one shouldn't be sitting back there, unless maybe when running? And why wouldn't they be placed parallel to the center line if that's what they were for? If they are for reinforcement, why aren't they under sole stringers like the rest are?

I have always assumed a cooler would sit between the ridge and the transom therefore keeping it somewhat secure, but who knows?

I think it's to encourage you to wear shoes, since I seem to stump my toes on it!

Do all model years of the DSII have this ridge? We heard already that one boat does not have a continuous ridge there.

My 1977 DS II has a two section ridge.

'77 and '80 have the two section ridge, and the '83 has the single ridge. Does this help us advance guesses what that ridge was supposed to achieve? Any early DSII's that do not have any ridge?

I'm with jsbowman6. I always hit it with my toe while stepping the mast. GreenLake, I think your supposition that that ridge is to raise hiking straps a little off the deck is entirely feasible.

But, yes, it does make a good place to attach hiking straps.